TEMPE, Ariz. – Whether it's a "setback" or simply a normal part of the rehab process may be an issue of semantics, but Ryan Madson isn't happy about his throwing program being shut down for 10 days, and counting.

"I'm discouraged, because I just wanted to go out there and not have any hangups," Madson said Monday.

When the Angels signed Madson to be their closer, they acknowledged there was some risk because he is coming back from Tommy John surgery in April 2012. A normal 12-month rehab process would have put Madson on the bubble for being ready by opening day, and Madson still hopes he can be.

"That's my goal," Madson said. "I think there's still a shot, but I'm not sure until I start throwing again."

Madson said he felt soreness in his elbow after his Feb. 1 bullpen session and he hasn't thrown since. He said he was feeling better Monday than he had, but the team is still holding him out. He is not expecting to be cleared to throw on Tuesday, the first scheduled workout for pitchers and catchers.

Manager Mike Scioscia said he was not concerned with Madson's progress.

"He is obviously at the last stages of his rehab where he's on the mound throwing, and his elbow is going to tell him how it feels," Scioscia said. "Some days he will move ahead. Rehab is up and down. We definitely expect him to be ready at some point in April, whatever time it might be."

The news was better concerning another pitcher rehabbing from surgery, starter C.J. Wilson. The lefty, who had bone chips removed from his elbow in a procedure shortly after the season, said he is not at all restricted as spring training begins. Wilson said he normally doesn't throw off a mound at all until spring training, but this year he has done so four times.

"I felt good and wanted to get my mechanics dialed in earlier," he said. "Last year I was only concerned with arm strength. Now I want to work on control and feel."

Wilson said the elbow issue was caused by a minor issue with his mechanics, which he has spent the winter correcting. He said his mechanics "are better than they have been in 20 years of throwing. I did a lot of work in the offseason."

KENDRICK ON MEND

Scioscia revealed that Howie Kendrick underwent a procedure on his right elbow after the season, an operation that the Angels had not announced. Scioscia said Kendrick is "100 percent" now.

"He's had some bouts with his elbow periodically but it was never anything that inhibited him," Scioscia said. "Howie has always played through a lot and played well and he got to the point he wanted some stuff removed. That's my understanding."

CHANGEUP FOR FRIERI

Ernesto Frieri said he's coming to spring training with a new pitch he has been developing. Although Frieri did not want to reveal the new pitch, Scioscia said it's a changeup.

"I know the hitters know me a little more," Frieri said. "They know what pitches I was using. I was trying to get something different to play with their minds."

Last year Frieri threw almost exclusively fastballs. He was dominant for much of the summer, but hit a slump later. Frieri said he thinks hitters got more comfortable against him since he relied so heavily on the fastball and couldn't count on his slider.

"It was too slow," Frieri said. "I was hanging it like 50 percent of the time that I threw it. That's why I didn't like it. I was working on (a new pitch). I was also working on my control. I walked a lot of guys last year. This year I want to just let the hitters swing the bat and not try to be too fine."

NOTES

Scioscia said he's looking at using the No. 2 spot in the order as a matchup position, rotating between Erick Aybar, Alberto Callaspo and Kendrick, depending on the opposing pitcher. ... Josh Hamilton has already arrived in Arizona and may work out for the first time in an Angels uniform Tuesday, Scioscia said. The first official full-squad workout is Friday. ... Angels pitchers will have to hit in the opening series of the year in Cincinnati, but Scioscia said they won't spend much time this spring taking batting practice because he doesn't want to disrupt their preparation. He said they'll begin to work on hitting about 10 days before the season. Wilson, who figures to start the second game of the year, said he's already been taking batting practice on his own, and he has a blister to show for it.

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